"Paul Preuss - Venus Prime 1 - Breaking Strain" - читать интересную книгу автора (Preuss Paul)

тАЬDo it now. IтАЩll take care of ADC.тАЭ He turned to an aide. тАЬA blackline to Commander in Chief,
NORAD. Let me see the profile before you put it through.тАЭ

The aide handed him a phonelink. тАЬCINCNORAD is a General Lime, sir. His profileтАЩs coming on screen
B.тАЭ

The gray man spoke into the phonelink and waited, quickly reading the generalтАЩs psychological profile
off the little flatscreen, planning his spiel as he shifted his attention to the big screen.

The spy satelliteтАЩs crosshairs moved inexorably toward Air Force Space Command headquarters east of
Colorado Springs. A curt voice came on the line, and the gray man quickly replied. тАЬGeneral, Bill Laird
hereтАЭтАУhis voice was warm, confiding, deferentialтАУтАЬIтАЩm very sorry to disturb you, but I have a serious
problem and IтАЩm afraid IтАЩve let it get out of handтАУso much so, in fact, I confess itтАЩs become your
problem too. Which will explain the EM interference your people are experiencing on combat
channels . . .тАЭ


* **


The phone conversation drew heavily upon the directorтАЩs resources of amiability and persuasion. It was
not the last call he had to make;General Lime refused to commit to action without confirmation from
LairdтАЩs superior.

More earnest lies went through the aether, and when the director finally put the phone down he was
trembling behind his tight smile. He yanked at the gray womanтАЩs sleeve and propelled her back into the

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 ARTHUR C. CLARKE'S VENUS PRIME: VOLUME I

shadows. тАЬThis program is about to be ended, thanks to you,тАЭ he said angrily. тАЬAnd we will have lost
years of work. Do you think I can hold my post after this debacle? WeтАЩll be lucky to escape
prosecution.тАЭ

тАЬI certainly doubt that the president would . . .тАЭ

тАЬYou! Keep her alive, you said.тАЭ

тАЬShe was magnificent, William. In the early stages. She was a natural adept.тАЭ

тАЬShe never committed herself to the Knowledge.тАЭ

тАЬSheтАЩs still a child!тАЭ

He gave her an angry cough for a reply. He paced about, brooding, then halted, shaking his head. тАЬRight.
Time we dissolve our band, disperse into the common herd.тАЭ

тАЬWilliam . . .тАЭ